How To Keep My Focus and Motivation When Promoting Shariah Compliant Financial Instruments in Singapore…
Some of you might have known me as the financial consultant that help Muslim families, plan their finance in a shariah compliant way in Singapore . You might have seen me in the papers, on national TV, dispensing financial advice specifically for Muslims in Singapore.
(Snapshot of my recent interview at a show, “Demi Cinta” in Suria. Picture from Toggle.sg)
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One of the most common questions that I always get, is how do I get the motivation.
The strength.
The energy to push forward, in my journey to promote Islamic Finance in Singapore.
I have to admit, that it seems an arduous task ahead.
As an entrepreneur running my own financial practice, sometimes, my business is up.
AND sometimes, my business is down.
When I feel down, I read on the translation of the Quran and Seerah (biograghy) of all the messengers of God, from Prophet Adam to Prophet Muhammad (May Peace and Blessings Be Upon Them All).
Here are some learning nuggets that I learnt, that motivate and inspire me to continue to work hard to promote Islamic Finance in Singapore.
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1) Follow the power of focus of Prophet Noah (Peace Be Upon Him)
When I am feeling down, I remembered reading about the story of Prophet Noah (Peace Be Upon Him).
Allah S.W.T commanded him to build a ship.
“And construct the ship under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration and address Me not on behalf of those who did wrong; they are surely to be drowned.” (Quran 11:37)
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Prophet Noah (Peace Be Upon Him) chose a place outside the city and far away from the sea to build his ark.
Some mocked and laughed at him.
Making comments about the ship’s location, far from any water source.
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They had no comprehension of the power and magnificence of God.
SO they could not understand why Prophet Noah (Peace Upon Him) would build a ship, on the top of a hill, far away from the ocean.
They called him crazy and laughed out loud.
The ship began to take shape and when it was finished,
Prophet Noah (Peace Be Upon Him) patiently waited for the command from God.
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When others said, many Muslims in Singapore don’t mind taking riba (interest)… The market is not big enough… When others questioned me on why I need to talk about Islamic finance, I remember the story of Prophet Noah (Peace be Upon Him)
I ignore these voices. I stay focus.
If I can help even 1 client plan their finance in a shariah compliant way, I have done my job.
If I can show 1 client, how they can reduce their riba/interest payable by even 1%, I have done my job.
Even if I meet with rejections upon rejections, after proposing shariah compliant initiatives, I have done my job as a Muslim financial consultant in Singapore.
2) The Importance Of Planning
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) planned very well when doing his Hijrah from Mecca to Madinah.
The Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is one of the most important episode in the history of Islam.
Allah S.W.T could have just instructed the Angels to carry Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) from Mecca to Madinah, without effort.
However, we all know that the Hijrah does not happen that way.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had strategies and plans, in place. Some of them are….
– Asking Sayyidina Ali (May God Be Pleased With Him) to replace him at his sleeping place
– Went out of his house, when the sun is scorching hot, something that those who were travellers wont do at that point of time
– Choosing Sayyidina Abu Bakar Assidiq as his companion for hijrah to Madinah
– Choosing alternative route to Madinah which is further and not the route commonly used by others
– Asma’ bt Abu Bakar and Abdullah Bin Abu Bakar to send information and food supplies while he is hiding at at Thur cave
– Amir bin Fuhairah, the individual to remove the footprints of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and Sayyidina Abu Bakar
(Source: “Panduan Cashflow, Apa Yang Kamu Tuai Simpanlah Bersama Tangkainya” book, by Suzardi Maulan (Pakdi))
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My take is that if our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) planned very well when he is doing his hijrah, we should also have a plan, in doing anything in our life.
Everyday, I think of strategies.
Strategies on how, to get more people to plan their finance in a shariah compliant way in Singapore.
How to get more people plan their finance the shariah compliant way in Singapore?
Facebook marketing.
Blogging.
Words of Referral.
Making Educational Videos etc2…
I work hard to introduce these systems in place.
Alhamdulillah…. Till date, I have over 600 clients who trust their finance with me, not only from Singapore, but also from Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India and many other countries… 🙂
Remember, my friends.
Anything you do, plan and prepare in advance.
If you don’t have a plan, you will go haywire. Create a plan and stick through your plan. Follow the footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
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3) Motivation to get out of debts with interest
I adviced my clients on strategies to reduce riba, yet I have to admit that I am still servicing my housing loan. In Singapore, there is no murabahah financing, so its darurah, for us to take loan with interest to get our house.
We need a roof over our heads.
Everyday, I make doa/prayers/supplication to Allah S.W.T. to grant me the strength, the rezeki to accumulate as much cash as possible so that I don’t have to take loans with interest.
My motivation to stay away and get out of debts also propel me to me to work hard everyday, because interest/usury is haram. In addition to that, I need to walk my talk as an ambassador to promote Islamic Finance in Singapore.
I am also a firm believer of the ‘Man jadda wajada’ principle which means whoever puts in the effort, God willing, they will get what they work for.
Make doa. Put in a lot of effort and focus on your work. Tawakkal….
Insya’Allah…You will get what you work for.
4) Motivation to help my community grow strength by strength
Everytime, I read the news, I see Islam being potrayed in a negative light. What I learn in my part time madrasah (religious school) and what I see in the newspaper is totally different.
Of course, to explain the beauty of Islam is the jobs of our Islamic scholars. We seek their leadership to guide us, on how to live our life, in accordance to the Quran and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.
I am glad that Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) is now made compulsory, to ensure that our religious teachers and scholars are reliable guides for our community.
We need their expertise. We need their guidance. Reading and interpreting the Quran (God’s words) is not like reading a story book. We need… We depend on our Islamic scholars to interpet the verses of Quran and Hadith and apply them in Singapore’s context.
Nevertheless, I feel everyone has a role to play. Even in my position as a financial consultant in Singapore, I have a role to play. Empowering our Muslim community with financial knowledge is crucial. My job is real.
I advice my clients and their children, that whatever we do in life, we give our level best. Aim to be the best.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) says,
“The best of people are those that bring most benefit to the rest of mankind.” (Daraqutni, Hasan)
I hope, in the future, some of the children, I plan for becomes a scientist, becomes a lawyer, becomes a school teacher
or even become an Olympic Champion!
I hope, some days, I can see, my clients’ children names on the headlines of the newspapers, bringing glory to our community by being the best in their specialisation, in their chosen field.
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With the following reasons above, I am more determined than ever to help with the development of Islamic Finance in Singapore.
That is why, I created Takaful.sg.
Takaful.sg serves as a platform for me to educate.
Empower.
AND reach out to more Singaporeans who are interested to know more on the practicality and relevance of Islamic finance, in Singapore’s context.
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In Takaful.sg, you can sign up for “Your Financial M.A.P” session (Worth $500) for FREE.
“Your Financial M.A.P. Model” is A Standard Step By Step Guide.
To grow your money.
AND wipe off all your loans with riba,
using Shariah Compliant Financial Strategies.
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You will also learn on how you can calculate your net worth in less than 10 mins, which allows you to fully understand your financial situation and create a master plan to get started on your journey to achieve the financial freedom you desire.
You will discover bulletproof strategies on how you can increase your savings by 20%, even if you have not saved a single dollar before (It’s like having money growing from your pocket out of nowhere)
I will share with you 8 financial ratios that acts as a financial compass, giving you the direction to the oasis of financial promise land.
I will also share with you a Quick way to save up money for emergencies. This will give you a peace of mind, rather than panicking and trying to scramble up money from nowhere. You know, you have a safety net to protect you 100%.
Go to Takaful.sg now and sign up for your FREE session today! Insya’Allah… 🙂
